Gloucester City were condemned to an opening day defeat in the National League South as two goals from Kudus Oyenuga were enough for last season’s play-off runners up, writes Kelsey De Maria.

New signing Robbie Cundy started on the bench for the Tigers as Tim Harris favoured a centre back partnership of Sam Avery and Spencer Hamilton, opting to shift Kieran Parselle to left back to replace the injured Lewis Hall.

Ethan Moore made his competitive debut for City as Harris also handed a first competitive start to Karnell Chambers, Alex Harris and the aforementioned Parselle.

It wasn’t to be the start that Harris wanted in goal for his first league game with the Tigers, as Chelmsford went ahead after Oyenuga bundled home a long throw-in at the back post.

After a quarter of an hour City were nearly back in it as Darren Mullings made one his trademark runs to the near post to flick a header goalwards from a Hanks corner, but the midfielder’s effort missed the target.

The wind was playing havoc on Sam Beasant’s goal kicks and the Chelmsford defence in general, as City looked to stretch their Essex opponents.

Hanks looked to cross in from deep towards Ethan Moore who looked to be pushed as he went for a header in the box, but Josh Smith waved away the protests.

Williams, Parker and Chambers were continuing to stretch Chelmsford and the lively Williams made a purposeful run past four men before finding Chambers, but his shot was held by Beasant.